Brassica nigra Black mustard (Cruciferae)

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Brassica nigra
Black mustard
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The Brassica nigra plant species is found in C. Europe. Occasionally naturalized in S.W. Britain[17]. It is a member of the Cruciferae family. Common gardeners may know the plant as Black mustard. Some home gardeners know the variety as Sinapis nigra.

Cultivation | Propagation | General Uses
Medicinal | Edible Uses

Latin Name:  Brassica nigra
Common Name:  Black mustard
Family:  Cruciferae
Author:  (L.)Koch.

Known Hazards:  When eaten in large quantities, the seed and pods have sometimes proved toxic to grazing animals[85].

Mature Height:  1.2   Mature Width:  0.6

Habitat:  Cliffs near the sea in S. W. England[17].

Cultivation Notes: Succeeds in full sun in a well-drained fertile preferably alkaline soil[200]. Succeeds in any reasonable soil. Prefers a heavy soil in an open position[16]. Another report says that it prefers a light well-drained soil and some shade in the summer[52]. Tolerates a pH in the range 4.2 to 7.8. Black mustard is often cultivated for its edible seed. This is used especially as a food flavouring, though it is also sown with the seeds of garden cress (Lepidium sativum) to provide mustard and cress, a salading eaten when the seedlings are about one week old. Black mustard is also grown as a medicinal plant. It germinates freely and quickly grows rapidly and makes a very useful green manure. The plants are not very winter hardy so the seed is best sown in the spring when grown for its seed whilst it can be sown as late as late summer as a green manure crop. The flowers have a pleasing perfume, though this is only noticed if several flowers are inhaled at the same time[245].

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Cultivation | Propagation | General Uses
Medicinal | Edible Uses

The information above has been supplied solely via the hard work and dedication of the team at 'Plants for a Future'.
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